Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-06-02
RJBE-

SAAaS So NaNAA ANtAh
dressing for a horseback ride.
Ellen More was just Is, short and
plump, with dancing gray eyes, bonny
brown curls and rosy cheeks. STE
wore black riding habit, which was
relieved by simple bunch of scarlet
geraniums and white olive blossoms at
her throat.
Ruby Rae was taller by three inches
than her cousin. and her form and
features were of rarest loveliness. Her
manner at times was digni6ed, reserv-
ed and naughty, and again merry and
unrestrained as Ellen's. Her big
black eyes could sparkle with mirth,
soften with affection, or blaze with
anger.
To-day they shone their merriest in
anticipation of a rare treat. She was
a Northern girl, just out of school,
and making her 6rst visit to the
South. She long had desired to be-
come an accomplished horsewoman,
and bade fair to realize her wish. Be
ing perfectly fearless, her first lesson
proved altogether satisfactory, and to-
day she hoped to add to her reputa-
ton.
Her habit was similar to her cousins
the scarlet and white blossoms en-
hancing the brilliance of her complex
ion and adding deeper shade to her
dusky hair, while the close. fitting
dress outlined her perfect figure.
Picking up their whips the girls de-
scended to the front gallery,
where stood the groom holding their
horses. Ellen's was large bay, restive
as herself. He stood paving the
ground impatient to be off.
You better be keerful, Miss Ellen;
Mazeppa he mighty skeery to-day
Never mind, Sally Ann. He knows
me. You and are good friends are
we not, Mazeppa? said Ellen, patting
her favorite on the neck. He prlcked
up his ears, but stood still, while she
mounted unassisted.
The animal furnished for Ruby was
small but fleet as a deer. Sally Ann,
as the negroes had nicknamed the
groom, led him up to the steps, and in
q moment both girls we're out of the
gate and down the road through the
plantation.
60 way Miss Ruby amt no new
beginner, shoP said Sally Ann, gazing
in admiration after the retreating
figures. They had chosen to dispense
with his attendance, much to his NOR
tifcation.
How the wind blowsl exclaimed
Ruby.
Yes; it will probably rain about to-
morrow. Then we may bid farewell
to horseback riding for a while, be-
cause in wet weather the roads are
most impassable'
Then let us not mind little wind.
But who is that coming?'
'Where2 0, that is Emory Lloyd,
said Ellen, with deepening color, shak-
ing her curls into order.
well, and who is Emory Lloyd?'
The son of our next neighbor. He
has just returned from the city or you
would have seen him before. | dare
say he has been to call on us now
Good evening, Mr.. Lloyd, as he
slackened his pace
sGood morning, Miss Ellen, You
are enjoying your favorite exercise,
see,' said he, lifting his hat and bow
ing low. i have just left your father,
who told me you had gone out for a
constitutional
Yes, and | fear 1t is the last shall
take for while. Those clouds look
rather threatening. Allow me to in
Lroduce you to my Yankee cousin
Miss Rae, Mr.. Lloyd
Welcome to Dixie land, Miss Rae
But you did not come early enough tc
see The full-blown glory of her scenery
Look, 'the sere and yellow leaf is al
ready making its appearance.
They were riding over pretty tract
of country, the path leading through 9
dense cypress forest that covered 6
part of the plantation belonging tc
Mr.. More. 1t was December, ye
there had been but one frost, and tha
slight one jus. enough to announce
the coming OF winter. On eithel
hand the overhanging branches were
festooned with clinging Spanish mos
its gray hue contrasting finely witt
the varied tints of the autumn like
woods. The dying brilliance of thu
more perishable leaves, and the dark
glossy foliage of the evergreen, holly
and magnolia, with here and there I
bright red bay-ball cleaning like
-plumaged bird, looked very
beautiful through the swaying veil o
the moss. The huge, scanned trunks
of the oak were twined about will
wild vines. Here and there tall
branchless stump stood, like broker
column, draped with close mantle o
these climbing parasites. The groune
was thickly studded with switch-c
Spanish daggers, the slim, pointed
leaves of the low palmetto and off
Il kr0oa